(UPDATE) GMA to undergo spine surgery

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be undergoing surgery for her damaged cervical spine.

Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, attending physician to Arroyo, said today that Arroyo needs to undergo surgery immediately as if this could lead to paralysis.

Arroyo, now Pampanga congresswoman, was rushed to St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City following a recurring neck pain.

"We suspect that this attack was probably induced by her continuing to work countless hours despite her stresses. We also suspect that this is probably cause by the similar acute pain attack which also hospitalized her at St. Luke's last month," Cervantes said in a press briefing.

There's no surgery schedule yet for Arroyo.

Last June, Arroyo was sent to hospital after suffering from " cervical radiculopathy" or "pinched nerve" caused by a compressed nerve root on her neck. She had to wear a neck brace for several days after that.